Staying Connected

WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday at 9:00 am

in person and Live on Facebook

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Healing services are held at St. Barnabas and

St. Mary's on a rotating schedule every third Thursday.

The next service will be at St. Mary's on May 18th at 6 pm.

Rector's Corner

On Saturday, the church remembers

Saint Catherine of Siena

Saint Catherine of Siena was born in 1347 in Siena, Italy, and is considered one of the most influential saints in the history of the Catholic Church. She was a mystic, a theologian, and a Doctor of the Church, and her writings and teachings continue to inspire people today.

Saint Catherine was deeply devoted to God from a young age and experienced mystical visions that led her to a life of service to others. She was known for her acts of charity, including caring for the sick and dying during times of plague and famine.

As a woman in medieval Italy, Saint Catherine faced many challenges in pursuing her calling to serve God. She was not allowed to join a religious order and was often criticized for her outspokenness and unconventional behavior. However, she remained steadfast in her faith and refused to be silenced.

Saint Catherine was a strong advocate for peace and unity within the Church, and she played a key role in ending the Western Schism, a period of division and conflict within the Catholic Church. Her letters and writings to political and religious leaders helped to bring about a resolution to the schism and restore unity to the Church.

Saint Catherine's teachings on love, humility, and self-sacrifice continue to inspire people today. She is a powerful example of what it means to live a life of faith and service, and her legacy continues to influence the Church and the world.

I am deeply inspired by Saint Catherine's example of faith and service. Her courage and commitment to her calling in the face of adversity is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what we believe in and using our gifts to serve others. May we all be inspired by her example and strive to live lives of love, humility, and service to others.

Stewardship Minute

Remember to pledge your support!

Pledge Now!

Some ways to support St. Mary's

Become a member
Volunteer
The Sunday collection plate
Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:

St. Mary's Church,

9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

Visit our Website

We're having a Painting Party and you and your friends are invited!

Join us in St. Mary's parish hall Saturday, May 6th at 6 pm (doors open 5:45) for a fun get together while we show off our creative sides.

No painting experience necessary! The teachers will guide you through the steps to produce a springtime daisy picture on canvas.

$30 at the door. Proceeds benefit The Branches Outreach.

RSVP saintmarysstoneharbor@ gmail.com so we can know how many easels to have on hand, or sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Hope to see you there!

St. Mary's annual berry delicious Strawberry Festival is still a few weeks away but preparation is underway now! Please think about how you can help with this very successful fundraiser which benefits the church budget. Can you make or serve desserts, set up or clean up? Would you love to create a basket for the raffle? A sign up sheet is posted in the parish hall or contact Dina Ziemba. Please spread the word. Flyers are available. Call the church office if you'd like a few to circulate in your area.

Forward Day by Day

The May, June, July edition of Forward Day by Day daily devotional, both large and small print, is now available in the church narthexes. Please help yourself and take one for someone who would enjoy receiving it. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please let the church office know and we will be glad to send one.

Membership at St. Mary's

Membership at St. Mary's consists of several different groups of "members." Some are Confirmed Communicant Members or who have transferred their membership by Letter of Transfer to St. Mary's. Some are Baptized into St. Mary’s or have requested that their names be entered in the Parish Register. Others are “members” by virtue of the fact that St. Mary’s is their church—the Christian community of which they are a part and where they worship regularly. Still, others are “summer members" or friends of St. Mary's. Many are part of St. Mary’s life, worship at St. Mary’s when in town, and support St. Mary’s financially. Canonically, they are not members in the legal sense, but they are every bit as much members of our parish family as those who are official members.

Please contact the church office if you would like to receive membership forms to be added to our data base.

email: SaintMarysStoneHarbor@gmail.com

You may sign up on our website here.

We welcome you to join us!

Happy Birthday to

Shellie Tibbitts on April 30th, Alison Moran on May 4th and Lillian Armstrong on May 5th!

If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please give us your information so we may add you to our data base. Email the church office: jultaylor9425@gmail.com or call 609-368-5922

Updated list of needs at The Branches

The Branches Outreach and the Food Pantry continues to feed a lot of people.

Branches is in need of BIG containers of soup (crockpot size) or large casseroles they can keep in the freezer - even something as simple as a large Stouffer's lasagna.

You may bring any casseroles or soup over to The Branches at their new location - 201 Hirst Ave., Rio Grande, NJ - daily from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM,

If you can't get to Rio Grande, please contact Dina Ziemba 609-780-3142.

She will be happy to pick up your food and take it to The Branches.

ALSO The Branches food pantry is in need of the following: paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, large trash bags (50 gallon), sugar, artificial sweetener, coffee, tea, packages of cookies peanut butter, jelly, salad dressing, feminine products, suncreen, sun protection lip balm, and cases of bottled water.

The Food Pantry is open M-W-F from 9-12 and is located at 1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, Unit AJ.

Many thanks !!!

Branches offer food, help and more in Rio Grande

Here is a link to a great article printed about The Branches in the Atlantic City press on April 25th!

St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop

Looking to refresh your summer rental or have a room that could use an updated piece of furniture? Then you might want to check out the new FURNITURE SHOP at St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop!

Gold Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore thrift shops, the Furniture Shop is a great addition to the home goods, housewares and clothing shops at This 'n That.

And remember the thrift shop when you're spring cleaning and re-organizing. Household items, furniture and clean usable clothing are welcome!

Store Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm and on the

1st Saturday of the month 10 - 3 pm.

Location: St. Mary's This 'n That

1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242 609-886-7272

Follow them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-This-N-That-Thrift-Shop-268676343298636/

John Curtis and Cape Classical Artists

Mark your calendar for the next Cape Classical Artists concert!

On Sunday, May 21, 3:00 pm, enjoy the Beverly Trio, an exciting variety of music of oboe, viola and cello

All concerts are free of charge to the public and are produced in partnership with and held at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. If you would like to become a sponsor, visit our home page and click on the “Donate” button. 100% of all contributions go directly to the support of our series. The concerts are live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

Visit our website, www.CapeClassicalArtists.com for:

• a link to our YouTube channel

• directions to the church

• a copy of the concert program

• information on becoming a sponsor for yourself or your business

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 6th - Jane Carol's Ordination 11:00 am at the Cathedral

Saturday, May 6th - Painting Party at 6 pm

Monday, May 8th - 13th - Mother Allison on Retreat

Wednesday, May 17th - Vestry meeting 6:30 pm via Zoom

Thursday, May 18th - Healing service at St. Mary's 6 pm

Sunday, May 21st - 3 pm Cape Classical Artists presents Beverly Trio